Combing machine



`Dec. 30, 1969 JEAN-FREDERIC HERUBEL 3,486,199

COMBING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2e, 1967 4 SheetsSheet 1 Dem 30, 1969 JEAN-FREDERIC HERUBEL 3,486,199

COMBING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 29, 1967 Dec 30, 1969 JEAN-FREDERIC HERUBE'L COMBING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 29, 1967 United States Patent O 3,486,199 COMBING MACHINE .lean-Frdric Herubel, Guebwiller, France, assignor to N. Schlumberger & Cie, Guebwiller, Haut-Rhin, France Filed Dec. 29, 1967, Ser. No. 694,436 Claims priority, application France, Jan. 9, 1967,

Inf. C1. Dolg 19/14 U.S. Cl. 19-230 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention is concerned with rectilinear or straight combing machines and more particularly with suction devices adapted to control the end of the web already combed by the machine to facilitate transfer of the fibres in course of combing from the nipper of the machine to the attaching unit.

Such a device is already known in which the device comprises a suction tube and the supply of air drawn in by the tube may be modiied according to the position of the detaching carriage of the machine.

The present invention is concerned with means to ensure proper control of the supply of air drawn in and with the arrangement for iiow of the air.

According to the present invention, the supply of air drawn in through the mouth of the suction tube can be reduced or made zero by the positive control of a closing device such as a flap valve, a slide valve or other means disposed between the said mouth and the suction source.

The opening or closing movement of the closure member may be effected while the detaching unit approaches the nipper or while the detaching unit moves away from the nipper.

The control device of the closure members may be arranged so as to be able to control the opening of the closure means at any moment of the working cycle of the detaching carriage in order to subject the end of the web to maximum suction at the most favorable moment of the transfer.

The suction may be arranged to be a maximum at the commencement of the approach of the detaching unit to the nipper. Further, the opening and closing movement of the closure means may be progressive or instantaneous.

The closure vmeans may be disposed at a point in the pneumatic circuit suiiiciently removed from the working members to avoid any extraneous suction at this level which might cause sucking in of iibres or fluit at the closure means.

The control of the closure means may be eected from a turning or oscillating member moving in synchronization with the detaching unit or in a general manner from any positively controlled member of the machine.

Mouth pieces of a shape suitable for the material t be worked may be mounted on the suction tube and deflectors may be mounted level with the mouth of the suction tube in order to channel the flow of air in respect of the combing members.

The suction tube may be of such shape that it has a permanent opening under the mouth so as to create a slight suction at the level of the working members of the machine.

3,486,199 Patented Dec. 30, 1969 ice Experience has shown that by varying the supply of air during the detaching phase, the web of iibres is distinctly improved. The elimination of the good fibres by sucking them into the recovery circuit for the fluff is rendered nil or reduced.

In addition, the fact of varying the supply of air during each detaching phase, that is to say, at a relatively high frequency given by the rapid working frequency of the machine accentuates the flow in the inside of the conduit and promotes the displacement of dust while preventing the formation of deposits therein.

On the other hand, the web, and more particularly its end, during the bringing together phase, is arranged following the decrease of the suction. -Due to this fact the web is spread out regularly over the whole working width and is favorably disposed for subsequent recovery.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation View, in partial section, of a suction device according to the invention, the detaching carriage being in a position away from the nipper;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but with the detaching carriage in the detaching position;

FIG. 3 is a front View of the device of FIGS. l and 2;

FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically another form of closure member in the form of a slide valve which can be used in the machine of FIG. l; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 show diagrammatically in elevation and in plan respectively a further alternative form of closure member in the form of a flap.

As is known, in machines of the kind in French Patent No. 1,057,971, a detacher carriage 1 mounted to carry out movements towards and away from the circular comb 2 and the nipper 3 in the direction of the double arrow F (FIG. 1) carries detaching cylinders 4 and 5 between which an endless leather belt 6 passes guided at one end by a cylinder 7. The endless leather belt 6 supports the web of libres 8 previously combed.

FIGURE l represents the combining phase of the fibre heads 10 during which phase these latters are presented by the nipper 3 to the needle segments 11 of the circular comb 2. The detaching carriage 1 is shown in the drawn back position in FIG, 1 so that the detaching cylinders are at their maximum distance from the combing unit.

Due to -the suction effect exercised by the tube 17, the end 13 of the web supported by the endless leather belt 6 is applied closely to the periphery of the lower detaching cylinder 4. It remains applied to the endless leather belt 6 so as not to be capable of being engaged by the circular comb 2.

After the combing of the iibre heads, the detaching carriage commences to approach the combing unit. From this moment the suction on the ends of the bres is decreased by the progressive opening of the flap 14.

During the detaching phase shown in FIGURE 2 the ap 14 is in the maximum open position and the suction is reduced or rendered nil according to requirements.

The pneumatic device in the machine according to the invention further comprises suction conduit 15, the collector 16 on which is mounted an upper tube 17 provided with the mouth piece 18.

In FIGURE 1 the upper tube is slightly bent and has a relatively large opening 19 directed towards the circular comb 2 producing at this level a slight suction to take up dust. It should be noted that this opening 19 has such proportions and is in such a position that the air flow into the opening 19 is without elect on the circular comb 2.

The actual mouth piece 18 permitting the control of the end of the web is mounted in the upper tube 17 xed on the wall 20 so that the lower part of the mouth piece 18 is at the level of a constriction 21 in the tube 17.

The' upper tube A17 and the mouth piece 18 are se cured to the frame 22 of the machine by the xing means 23 which permits easy dismantling.

The suction conduit mounted in front of the collector 16 is provided with an opening 24 which can be closed by the said ap 14 hinged around its wall 25 fixed on an adjustable support 26.

The opening and closing of the ap is controlled by a chain 27 xed on a bar 28 secured to the lower part of the carriage 1. The chain passes over a guide roller 29.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative form of closure member in which the pivoting flap 14 of FIGS. 1 to 3 is replaced by a slide valve 30 sliding in guides 31 in front of an opening 30a in a wall of the suction conduit 15. The valve 30 is controlled by a lever 32 integral with the detaching carrier 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show another closure member arrange'- ment in which the closure member is constituted by a ap 33 disposed inside the suction conduit 15 and adapted to shut ot to a greater or lesser degree the suction caused by flow of air along the latter. For this purpose the ap 33 is integral with an axle 34 journaled in bearings 35 and carrying a crank 36 operated by the detaching carriage 1 by means of a bar 37.

Of course the* embodiments described above and shown in the drawing are only given by way of non-limiting example and it is obvious that one can modify the nature, disposition and the mounting of these elements.

Thus, the operation of the closure member may be effected according to any desired law corresponding in an optimum manner to the application envisaged. On the other hand the control of the closure member may be ensured by any members effecting a synchronous movement with that of the detaching carriage. In addition dellectors may be mounted in the mouth piece of the suction tube.

I claim:

1. A rectilinear comber adapted for treating long ber materials, said comber comprising a circular comb, nipper means adjacent said comb, detaching means supported for reciprocal movement towards and away from said nipper means and comb, a suction funnel having a mouth arranged under the detaching means at a short distance from the circular comb, conduit means coupled to said funnel for application of suction therein, and flow adjusting means in said conduit means operatively connected to said detaching means such that to each position of said detaching means moves, said ow adjusting means moves a corresponding distance to vary the ow of air through said funnel.

2. A rectilinear comber as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conduit means is provided with an opening, said ow adjusting means comprising adjustable closure means adapted to adjust the area of the passage of air sucked from the atmosphere to said suction means Via said opening such that the greater the area of the opening the smallery the flow of air through the funnel.

3. A rectilinear comber as claimed in claim 2, wherein said yclosure means is close'd when the detaching means occupies its furthest position away from the nipper means and said closure means progressively opens as the detaching means approaches the nipper means.

4. A .rectilinear comber as claimed in claim 3, wherein said closure means is located a suicient distance from the funnel towards the' suction means so as to be located in a zone where the atmospheric air passing through said closure means is not able to catch fibers coming from the comb.

5. A rectilinear comber as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conduit means is provided with an opening located under the mouth of the funnel to produce a slight suction in the zone of the comb and nipping means.

6. A rectilinear comber as claimed in claim 1, including means defining an alternative suction path to the said funnel leading into said conduit means, said closure means being arranged to control said alternative path, the entry to said alternative path being located away from the mouth of the funnel to avoid sucking bers and fluff along the alternative path.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,221,025 4/1917 Campbell 19--225 1,350,439 8/1920 Davidson 19-205 XR 2,558,706 6/1951 Hinson 19-232 XR 2,704,862 3/1955 Moss 19-202 3,373,462 3/196-8 Herubel 19-230 DORSEY NEWTON, Primary Examiner 

